What will be the day-to-day impacts of the government’s 60 day dispensing announcement? In this AJP Podcast, Carlene McMaugh talks to Victorian independent pharmacy owner Natalie Kopas about her thoughts around the decision and its impacts.

How will 60 day dispensing add to the pressures they are already experiencing at the coalface? What will be the impact on financial security, workloads, the services they can offer to patients? How will it impact medicine shortages?

Natalie Kopas

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts, including a recent series covering the 60-day dispensing issue. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Carlene McMaugh, Podcast host

West says that while PDL does not take the representative stance of organisations like the Guild or PSA, it “obviously” has concerns about double dispensing, outlining two potential problems in detail.

He says there has been “huge demand and sometimes threats and aggression” from patients seeking elusive medicines such as Ozempic, and says 60-day dispensing could worsen shortages, meaning that some customers will be unhappy if a shortage affects their medicine’s availability.

When patients are unhappy with a pharmacy which has been unable to supply a drug, they may resort to making complaints with the regulator, with all the impacts this has on the pharmacist and their colleagues.

PDL is also worries about errors when larger quantities are being supplied – Australian pharmacists don’t make a lot of errors overall, but West says we’re all human and that when it happens, double dispensing could make matters worse.

“When there’s a larger quantity of an incorrect medicine being supplied, or some sort of other  error being made, perhaps with directions or labelling, there is obviously a greater risk of an adverse consequence for a patient.”

And how can pharmacy prepare for deal with the implementation of 60-day dispensing? West shares some useful advice.

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

In this podcast, advanced practice pharmacist Manya Angley discussed the federal government’s recent revelation that it plans to reverse previous funding proposals for the ‘Onsite Pharmacists in Aged Care Facilities’ program.

In what she says is a ‘sweetener’ to the community pharmacy sector, reeling after the announcing of 60-day dispensing, she says the government now plans to fund these pharmacists through the community sector.

“This does not meet the concerns flagged in the aged care royal commission and is not a role that aligns with what has proven to be effective in improving medication-related outcomes in resident safety in aged care,” she says.

“It’s devastating really.”

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Carlene McMaugh

Sim tells McMaugh that when it comes to double dispensing “there was a lack of consultation with the profession” – specifically, the PSA, which was not consulted despite regular meetings with the Minister’s office. S

he outlines how the PSA has attempted to get more detail, but been met with little engagement from the Health Department.

Sim also outlines challenges for patients as well as pharmacists.

“First of all, it’s the issue around availability of medicines, because we all know that in Australia at the moment – this is a matter of fact – you only have to work one day in a pharmacy to know that medicine shortages is a real issue…

“There is also a concern here around medicines safety.”

Wastage will be a big concern, she says, citing as an example PBS dispensing data which says 6% of patients who initiate the use of SGLT2 to manage Type 2 diabetes don’t come back for a repeat of the medication, and of the rest, 40% did not collect their medicines within a 45-day period during the first year of treatment.

“What this is saying is that there will be costs to the health system resulting from medicine wastage.”

And Sim also tells us just why double dispensing is a key issue for women.

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

In this episode of the AJP podcast, Carlene McMaugh speaks with John Evans, general manager, pharmacy services, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania for ICON Group Pharmacy, part of ICON cancer care. He’s also the Victorian branch chair of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia.

In this podcast, John discusses burnout, the future of pharmacy technicians and how they can contribute to healthcare – as well as how hospital pharmacists have been promoting pharmacy services to political decision-makers.

John notes that a lot of people are stepping away from leadership positions in pharmacy, saying it’s harder now thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic – but that this needs to be addressed.

He also discusses the pharmacist shortage, and what factors are contributing to it, including the pandemic and its influence on pharmacists needing time for themselves.

He also has a lot of advice for pharmacists who are considering to move into the hospital sector… whether full-time, part-time or as a hybrid career with community pharmacy, with lots of options for different roles.

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

In this episode of the AJP podcast, Carlene McMaugh talks to Simon Bell, director of the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety at Monash University, Vic.

Among the topics Simon, a pharmacist and researcher, talks about are:

 Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Carlene McMaugh

In this episode of the AJP Podcast, Professor Suzanne Nielsen, pharmacist and head of the Addiction Research Centre at Monash Univeristy, speaks to Carlene McMaugh about her career in harm reduction medicine and research, and key issues around the topic.

Among the topics discussed are:

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Carlene McMaugh

In this podcast, Carlene McMaugh talks to Richard Lim, owner of Lim’s Pharmacy in Springvale, Vic.

Richard set up the pharmacy in 1991 after previously working in hospital pharmacy. Since then he has combined what he says is an ongoing passion for clinical practice with community service, both as a health professional, a retail owner and through service on the local council and in various community groups.

Richard, who won the Order of Australia Medal in 2014, talks about coming to Australia, learning to speak English in a migrant hostel. Studying pharmacy in Australia, his hospital pharmacy years and his lifetime of ownership.

He also discusses his role as a councillor for the City of Greater Dandenong, his longstanding involvement with the Cambodian Youth Association, which he founded, and with other community support groups.

Richard says Australia is a ‘land of opportunity’ and he discusses how hard work, dedication and inspiration can drive community involvement and clinical and business success. 

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Carlene McMaugh

Rodney Whyte has worked for more than 25 years as a senior pharmacist in charge of medicines information for Monash Health.

In our latest podcast Rodney talks to Carlene McMaugh about his experiences in the role. Among the topics he discusses are:

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Carlene McMaugh

In this podcast, Jenny talks about her career, the development and progress of consultant pharmacy work, the home medicine review program and other aspects of practice. 

Jenny Gowan

Jenny also discusses the importance of networking and presentation, how pharmacists can identify areas where they can expand their scope of practice to fill needs within the health system and expanding your role within the community. 

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Carlene McMaugh